Abuja, March 26, 2025 – A debate broke out in the Nigerian Senate over a proposal to honour Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the man who conducted the famous June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The motion was brought forward by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South. He, along with other senators mostly from the Southeast, argued that Nwosu played an important role in Nigeria’s democracy and should be remembered for his work.
Why Did the Senate Reject the Motion?
As Abaribe was presenting his motion, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised an objection. He claimed that other senators had not received copies of the motion, which was against Senate rules.
This led to a heated exchange, with Abaribe insisting that the documents were available. However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stepped in and said the motion was too “controversial” because people have different opinions about Nwosu’s role in the June 12 election.
Jibrin explained, “Some people see him as a hero of democracy, while others believe he played a part in stopping June 12.”
When the motion was put to a vote, the majority of senators voted against it, stopping any further discussions.S
Anger Among Senators
Many Southeast senators were unhappy with the decision. Senator Victor Umeh banged his desk in frustration, asking, “What is going on? Why are we doing things this way?”
Abaribe also protested, saying, “We are not in a dictatorship. The Senate can regulate its proceedings anytime.”
Even Senator Yahaya Abdullahi tried to support Abaribe, arguing that lawmakers should be allowed to express their opinions freely. But like Abaribe, he was also overruled.
Senate President Steps In
As the argument got more heated, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stepped in to calm the situation. He urged the senators to remain united, saying, “While we may have different views, we should focus on building a strong democracy instead of reopening past conflicts.”
In the end, instead of making a final decision, the Senate referred the motion to a committee for further review. This means the proposal has not been completely rejected, but it will be discussed again later.
What’s Next?
For now, the plan to honour Prof. Humphrey Nwosu is on hold. It remains to be seen whether the Senate will approve it in the future.
